Row Z

Villa are a better side now than most people think. They set up pretty defensively and it was hard to break them down. I will certainly be expecting a better performance against Boro though, but i'm not worried at the moment, far from it.

Sure there was, we came up against a good, organised side and didn't lose. ok we were poor in the final 3rd but so what, its a work in progress, last year we would have lost that game.

The idiots who were booing have no grasp on reality and obviously have no clue as to the good work that big sam has done, and is doing. They do not deserve the airtime they have got for this.

Especially Rozenhal, he seems a very competent player. Also good to see Geremi and Butt helping out the defence too. I reckon Sam is trying to make us solid defensively and knows we have players who can "nick a goal", and if we can remain solid we will win our fair share of matches. ok it might not be for the purists but i can see us keeping a fair few clean sheets this season.

Sounds silly, but Rangers were a wee bit lucky. It was 4-2 in the last minute and at least 3 of the goals took big deflections. Krul has actually done alright in the past 2 games, pulled off some nice saves.

Deco to Newcastle? Bizarre.

There was some muted booing, but not much. Just a couple of morons near the back by the sounds of it. I think most people know it's going to take time, however there are lots of positives to take from the game, and the BS era in general. Defence sorted out, Owen to get back to full sharpness, Barton and Given still to come in. There's lots to look forward to. If Souey or Roeder was the manager we would have lost that game 2-0.

I cant see it being 3-0. As sam said, people are now just going to walk up and expect to win. It doesn't work like that. Martin O'Neill is a top manager as well as has Villa well organised. I can see it being very tight, and i dont care what the score is as long as Newcastle win!

What he said. Allardyce has made a name for himself in terms of preperation etc and its so refreshing to think that - for once - we have someone in charge who actually knows what they're doing! Most clubs would take that for granted, they don't know how lucky they are! I reckon by next season Sam will have completely transformed the club and and thoughts of Newcastle being a soft touch/poor defensively will be long gone. And this isn't a knee jerk reaction, I thought this even before the Bolton game.

I liked ronaldo last season. Apart from when they played us and he was taking on Titsup!

Remember the whole point in employing chop souey was because he was a "disciplinarian" but that didn't work. I reckon players will have more respect for allardyce though and most of the antagonisers if not all of them are now gone. I know it's early days but surely we should be looking to qualify for europe, maybe even push the top 4 although i know we wont finish there.

Yup and 12M for Smithy, Viduka and Barton

Oh great. 1-0 to Villa then!

Just thinking about Big Sam's influence and the way teams used to fear playing against Bolton because they knew they'd get a hard game. Newcastle have been a soft touch for too long so its hard to get my head around us being hard to beat but that is what it looks like we are going to become! I think we have a far better team than Bolton so if he can keep the same spirit and with the added quality - who knows? I dont know about playing the exact same system as Bolton as i'm not sure where Michael Owen would fit in but the fundamentals would be the same - hard work , discipline, never say die attitude.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is considering a £4m swoop for Everton skipper Phil Neville. (Express)

I know its only Tuesday but who cares! I'll go 3-1 again. Martins, Rozenhal and Smithy!

Bolton are going to be shit this season. I can't wait to see Bramble back at St James though! Viduka will have a field day.

Dear dear. Right enough, what did Sam Allardyce ever do for Bolton?

I have to admit i'm catching a bit of BSF (Big Sam FEVER) Don't ask me why, he just has something about him, he knows how to organise a team (when was the last time you heard Newcastle and organised in the same sentence). For the first time in ages we may not play like a bunch of losers His signings have been good - Viduka, Smith, Barton, Rozy for sure Enrique and Cacapa we'll see Look at the job at Bolton, took then from nowhere and turned them into a team who could beat top 4 teams on a regular basis. Give him time, but he's already set the wheels in motion i would say.

What a farce

Souness did sign Luque!

I haven't been this excited since Fumaca left

Two defenders!! Exciting!! Mind you - i remember getting excited when we signed Marcelinho

Welcome aboard son! A champions league stalwart with 5 consecutive French titles, on a free transfer. Can't argue with that. Here's hoping he's more Brilliant and less Bramble!

I think Villareal's nickname is the "submarines" as they play in Yellow. Who is this guy anyway... a LB?